100 Years Ago: 1922

The forsythia bushes are all in bloom in Lewiston Park. Considerable expenditure has been made the past year to beautify this public garden spot and the row of shrubs planted the length of the park, along Pine Street is a great addition, and a big advance in true civic spirit.

50 Years Ago: 1972

School Liaison Officer Bert Gardner and Lewiston Chief of Police Lucion Longtin this morning checked out “Mr.Wheely,” the talking bicycle used to teach Lewiston’s school children road safety. This week, “Mr, Wheely’” is not only teaching the merits of safety, he is also announcing the Bike Rodeo scheduled Sunday, May 28, at the Zayre’s parking lot. The American Automobile Association (AAA) has provided the LPD with a talking machine, so bikes can be tested for safety at the Rodeo, which will begin at 1 p.m. Cyclists who qualify for the obstacle course will participate in a “slow race.” Bikes donated by Zayre’s, the Value House and Grant’s, will be awarded to the top cyclists. Contest judges will be members of LPD and Interact, a Lewiston High School club.

25 Years Ago: 1997

Oxford Elementary School sixth graders were held spellbound by Barbara Payne Wednesday during an assembly on Finnish American culture. Payne, dressed in Finnish style costume “gave a mix of the old and the new, presenting a brief history of Finland immigration to this country. Payne’s parents came to this country from Finland separately, met and married in Massachusetts. Finnish was spoken in her home, until she learned English in school. She said she was so proud of her new language, she spoke English to her parents and they responded in Finnish, When a student asked if her children spoke Finnish, she explained that two people must be able to speak the language before it can be learned and used in the home. Her husband, being of English heritage, spoke only English. Her  daughter, Tamara, learned some Finnish so that she could communicate with elderly residents at the home in which she worked. Reviewing the Finnish cultural influence on America, she pointed out that the origin of log cabins in this country was built by a Finn. Present day Finland exports log cabins worldwide. The first Finns in this area settled in West Paris area, founded a Congregational Church and a Lutheran Church. They held dances at the grange hall in West Paris. The Madison Paper Co.is owned by a group of Finns. Payne showed the students various Finnish artifacts, including birch bark shoes, bags and a  wooden sauna.

The material used in Looking Back is produced exactly as it originally appeared although misspellings and errors may be corrected.

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